Calvin Synod Herald, 1978 (78. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-05-01 / 5-6. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 7 matter. (In case, I would go, I intend to bear all of my expenses.) 6. THE FUTURE OF LIGONIER. At our 1977 meeting I called your attention to “the open crisis in our Ligonier complex.” At that time, however, I was not fully aware of the precipitous events that succeeded our Synod meeting. Regardless how we evaluate the events of the last 8 months, I feel the Synod should consider the following questions: (a) Are we interested in establishing a NEW HUNGARIAN REFORMED CENTER IN LIGONIER, PA. in cooperation with the HRFA? (b) What should happen to the BETHLEN COLLECTION? (ownership, present condition, options, etc.) (c) How should we relate to the SALE OF THE CHILDREN’S HOME BUILDING? (legal, moral aspects, Bojtos plan, etc.) (d) How do we relate to the NEW STANCE OF THE HRFA? (separation of Church and Federation?) (e) What is OUR PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE? (united? separated?) — May God help us to faithfully struggle for the right answers! Personally, I would like the Synod now to declare that — in the spirit of our godly heritage which has made the HRFA, the Bethlen Home and our churches one family in the service of our people, the Cavin Synod Conference of the Unilted Church of Christ wishes to rent the Children’s Home buildings with option to buy it in 3-5 years in order to create with the full cooperation and generous support of the HRFA a Hungarian Reformed Center for the purpose of cultivating the ecclesiastical, scientific, cultural, educational, social and fraternal programs of our people. In order to make this a venture of our people, let the Synod authorize the publication of the three Ligonier presentations both in English and in Hungarian so that our churches may have an opportunity to study and respond before the terms are contracted on or before September 1, 1978. Is not this the horizon of our future? LET ME CLOSE! “Thy past was reft of pleasure, Thy future knows but need: My country, sick past measure, Alas, for thee I bleed!” — started Joseph Bajza (1804-58) his “Sigh” and ended: “Whose might prescribes all laws, All future doth forecast: O, God of nations, send A ray of hope at last!” While I was writing this report of “Heritage and Horizon,” this poem often returned to my mind. But I also remembered that the very poem Bajza wrote was a ray of hope sent from the God of nations for it was born in the pains of the great Reform Movement. Therefore, let me close my report with the words of István Széchenyi, the great leader of that Reform Movement. In one of his famous books, he said: “Do not sit down in a corner and brood with your head down about the glorious past of Hungary, but help to pave the great road for a better future for the nation... Nothing stands still in this world; even Hungary has to go on. Onward Hungarians with real aims and decisions, and Hungary will be again!” Bishop John Butosi who had for several years been serving as deputy to his predecessor, Bishop Bela Gencsy who retired at the end of 1977 after a ministry of nearly 30 years. The Hungarian-speaking Reformed Church became an independent church after the second world war when the Carpatho-Ukraine became part of the Soviet Union. The Church, with a membership of between 70,000 and 80,000 spread over ninety parishes, maintains good ecumenical relations with other communions, notably with the Roman Catholic Church of the same region. RPS, Apr. ’78 “COOKBOOK WITH AN ACCENT” The Women’s Fellowship of the Fairport Harbor Hungarian Reformed Church has published a cookbook entitled “Cookbook With An Accent.” The cookbook was first published in July, 1977 and is in its third printing. Hungarian recipes, Finnish recipes and others dealing with anything from appetizers to main dishes to desserts are contained in the cookbook with the donors name appearing alongside the recipe. A feature section deals with cooking in large quantity, and also several sections of helpful hints for cooking, cleaning and dieting. Cookbooks can be obtained for $3.50 each plus 50 cents for postage by contacting Mrs. Robert Esterle, 34 Overlook Road, Painesville, Ohio 44077, or by contacting the Hungarian Reformed Church, 607 Plum Street, Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077. PITTSBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Rev. Francis Vitéz received the Doctor of Ministry, Miss Eva Fabian received the Master of Divinity degree on May 23rd graduation. HUNGARIAN BISHOP ISSUES CALL TO EVANGELISM Budapest — A call to evangelism, biblical and apostolic spirituality was the main emphasis in his end-of-the-year report to the 1977 synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary by its president, Bishop Tibor Bartha. Dr. Bartha stressed that evangelism is the responsibility of the whole Church and not a special concern of certain groups and communities: “the whole community of the church and the congregations are called to witness to the Gospel by their worship and their love toward men.” The Hungarian churchleader also spoke of the need to “awaken the nominal Christians, the sleeping congregations ... that they may fulfill their calling and follow Christ.’’ Reporting on the Church’s community service, Dr. Bartha said that the construction of the 100-bed Albert Schweitzer old people’s home in Budapest was making good progress and that work was now being done on the 4th story of the 5-story building. With the recent appointment of two new bishops, the synod adjusted the various responsibilities that fall to the Church’s leaders. RPS Jan. ’78.
